MCA president Ong Tee Keat, under fire by some party officials for being kept in the dark of the party's "greater unity plan", said the plan was to heal the party and place it on track for the next general election.

Prime Minister Najib Razak had given his blessing to the plan, Ong said in his blog today.

Yesterday, several central committee (CC) members led by newly-elected deputy president, Liow Tiong Lai, said they were not consulted about the plan announced last week.

NONE "I find it perplexing why I need the CC's permission when I try to bring about unity in the party. Do these people hope to see the party being dragged down by continuous in-fighting, just so they can achieve their selfish ambitions?

"Do they understand the importance of putting the greater unity plan to work, so that MCA can continue with its healing and reforms following the setbacks in last year's general election? Are they not prepared to set aside their self-interest for the sake of MCA and the nation?" Ong said in his blog.

Unwise to reveal all

Ong said he had also been asked about the personal pledge he made before the Oct 10 EGM and had clarified the issue on many occasions.

"It would be unwise to make me reveal certain things that will deeply embarrass a few party leaders," he said.

Ong had then said he would step down if the delegates voted for a loss of confidence in his leadership, and he lost narrowly.

Ong said he realised that he and former deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek should come together and unite the party following a remark by a female delegate.

"Someone said that I control almost 50 per cent of the delegates while Dr Chua Soi Lek has the backing of about 47 per cent. Her statement has made me realise that Dr Chua and I should come together and unite the party, as collectively we control almost 100 per cent of the general assembly.

"Why should anyone question the greater unity plan?"

He reiterated that the MCA had unfinished business and the Port Klang Free Zone debacle was one of them.

- Bernama